The Swan Uppers are on their way to Goring-on-Thames

The King’s Swan Marker is on his way upstream for the traditional Thames Swan Upping ceremony.

The Royal Swan Uppers should reach Goring Lock at 5pm today (Thursday).

They are to depart Sonning-on-Thames at 9am.

Dating from the 12th century, the annual ceremony of Swan Upping takes place during the third week of July and is now an important element of wildlife conservation.

By tradition scarlet uniforms are worn by The King’s Swan Marker David Barber and Swan Uppers, and each of the six traditional Thames rowing skiffs flies the appropriate flag and pennant.

It has always been the duty of the Sovereign’s Swan Marker to count the number of young cygnets each year and ensure that the swan population is maintained.

The cygnets are weighed and measured and the birds are examined for any sign of injury, commonly caused by fishing hook and line.

With the assistance of The King’s Swan Warden, Prof Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, the swans and young cygnets are also assessed for any signs of disease.

The cygnets are ringed with individual identification numbers by The King’s Swan Warden, whose role is scientific and non-ceremonial.

In the 12th-century The Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans, an important food for banquets.

Today The Crown retains the right of ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, but The King mainly exercises this right on certain stretches of the River Thames and its surrounding tributaries.

This ownership is shared with the Vintners’ and Dyers’ Livery Companies who were granted rights of ownership by The Crown in the 15th century.

The Swan Uppers schedule for today, Thursday July 20 is:

Sonning-on-Thames: 9am

Caversham Lock: 10.15am

Mapledurham Lock: 12.30pm

Goring Lock: 5pm

Moulsford: 6pm